Page 36 of The Mad Highlander
“I went to see McReed ’afore I bathed. Ye need nae fear; he’s securely behind bars, an’ I’ve told the guards they are nae to leave his side for a moment.” He spoke softly before perching against the edge of her bed with his hip.
“That’s good to ken.” Iris nodded, feeling safer now that Cayden was in her room. She knew that she was safe within the walls of the castle, but then again, McReed had been a member of Cayden’s clan, and not even he knew that the man would have acted in that manner.
“I’m calling another council meeting in the morning, I dinnae think that anyone else will try an’ repeat the act, nae after McReed failed so miserably.” Cayden almost spat the words out as he clenched his jaw in anger.
“I dinnae blame ye, Cayden, if that is what ye are worried about,” Iris spoke softly, resisting the urge to close the distance between them. They had embraced each other so naturally in the woods that it had felt right. She’d instantly felt at home in his arms, causing her fears to melt away.
“It doesnae matter if ye blame me or nae,” he stated a little too loudly. “I made a promise to ye, and I havenae even been able to keep it until our handfasting day.”
“Ye saved me.”
“I wouldnae have to have saved ye if I had protected ye properly in the first place. It all happened right under me nose.” Cayden balled his fist and slammed it against the wall, causing Iris to jump.
“Please,” she said, moving to him and placing her hand on his cheek. “There was naythin’ ye could have done. I would be in the grave if ye hadnae turned up. Ye saved me life.”
A little relief flushed his face. “I am glad that ye feel that way; I should have had a better handle on things, but I appreciate yer words.” He pushed himself up and headed toward the doors.
“Cayden, wait.” Iris suddenly stopped him as panic filled her body. The thought of spending the night alone in her bed scared her far more than she had realized.
“Aye?” He turned to her with a frown.
Her throat felt dry as she searched for the right words. “Stay with me,” she blurted out before she could stop herself. Heat flooded her cheeks when Cayden continued to stare at her. “I thought I would be fine by meself, but all I can think about is the look in his eyes when he grabbed me in the woods. I wasnae scared when we came back here, but now that ye are goin’ to leave…” She looked around the large room that had been appointed as her chambers since the moment she had arrived.
Cayden lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at the door before turning toward it fully.
Iris was half afraid that he was about to leave. Cayden glanced down the hall before turning back to her and nodding.
“I will stay with ye tonight to ensure there are nay more attacks. It is the least I can do.” He closed the door and walked over to the chair by the window, slumping down into it.
Iris went and sat on the edge of the bed. She watched Cayden in the chair, wanting to share in his suffering. She had tried to convince him that he was not to blame, but she had not succeeded. It was her own fault for straying so far, even if she was unaware of any danger.
“Why would someone want to hurt me?” Iris asked softly.
“Because they want to hurt me,” he replied, not looking at her. “They see ye as me weakness, and they are tryin’ to exploit it.”
“That means they will come again.” Iris tried to hold back the tears.
“Maybe, but we will be ready for them this time.” Cayden got out of the chair and sat on the bed with Iris. He took her hand. “I ken ye are scared, but we have the man responsible, and I will not rest until I have put this matter to bed. He didnae like what I have planned, but somethin’ tells me this runs deeper than that. That it is somehow connected to Murdoch takin’ yer brother.”
“What?” Iris gasped. “How?”
“I dinnae ken yet, but I will find out. I am a man who others might cross once, but they never cross me a second time.”
Iris looked into the Laird’s eyes, and she might have been scared by what she found there, but his anger was not directed toward her. It was directed toward her enemies. She did not need any proof that the Laird’s words were the truth. She could see in his eyes that no one would cross him twice.
She found comfort in his anger. She wanted their enemies to pay for what they had done. She wanted him to rescue her brother. She needed the mad laird more than she had ever needed anyone ever before.
Iris took up her hand, Cayden still holding it, and she kissed his fingers.
“I feel safe with ye here,” she told him.
“Ye will be safe,” he replied. He said it with conviction, and she saw the change in him. He had felt guilty, but he only had determination now.
She placed her free hand on his chest, feeling the muscles below. He not only had strength in his words, but his body, too.
“Ye saved me,” she reminded him. “I am yers now.”
“Aye,” Cayden said. “Ye are mine to do as I please?”
